Southwest Airlines to Bring 2,000 New Jobs to Austin with Major Expansion at AUS
In a major win for Central Texas, Southwest Airlines and Governor Greg Abbott have announced the airline’s plan to open a new pilot and flight attendant crew base at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), bringing more than 2,000 high-paying jobs to the city by mid-2027.
The announcement was made during a press event at AUS, joined by Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, Southwest CEO Bob Jordan, and other local and state leaders. The expansion reflects both the airline’s long-standing roots in Texas and its confidence in Austin’s growing role in the future of U.S. aviation.
As part of the development, Southwest will receive a $14 million grant from the Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF), a performance-based economic incentive program aimed at supporting competitive job-creating projects across the state. The airline has also been offered a $375,000 Veteran Created Job Bonus to further boost employment opportunities for Texas veterans.
Groundwork for Economic Growth
The new base—scheduled to open in March 2026—will initially employ 335 pilots and 650 flight attendants, scaling to 2,000 positions by 2027. Salaries are expected to average around $180,000 annually. The project also includes the buildout of a Command Center and a new training facility for flight attendants, further cementing Austin’s role as a key operational hub.
“This investment demonstrates our commitment to Austin and to our Customers,” said Southwest Airlines President and CEO Bob Jordan. “As the largest carrier at Austin–Bergstrom International Airport, we appreciate the vision of Governor Abbott and Mayor Watson in clearing the way for Austin to become an even bigger part of our future.”
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Governor Abbott echoed the significance of the investment, stating, “Southwest Airlines was born and raised in Texas and has been a core element of the economic growth we have seen in our state. We are excited to announce that today Southwest Airlines will add over 2,000 high-paying jobs right here in Texas.”
Building More Than Flights
For Austin residents, this expansion means more than just airline routes—it’s a boost to local employment, workforce development, and infrastructure. The new base will provide substantial career opportunities for pilots, flight attendants, and support staff, while also expanding training and leadership pipelines for aviation professionals.
“We’re laser focused on making sure people in Austin have good incomes, so they can afford to live and build a life in our city,” said Mayor Kirk Watson. “This performance-based agreement is a win-win-win deal focused on creating good-paying jobs for Austinites, strengthening our local economy, and providing more investment in childcare and workforce development programs.”
Southwest Airlines will also strengthen community partnerships as part of the agreement, including work with Austin’s Infrastructure Academy, AUS’s youth internship program, and the airport’s AUS Career Center to connect residents with future job openings.
A Strategic Move in a Competitive State
Southwest’s decision to expand in Austin follows months of evaluation and coordination with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Tourism, the City of Austin, and local workforce agencies. The company considered several out-of-state options before choosing Austin, citing the city’s dynamic growth and alignment with the airline’s operational goals.
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“This exciting investment underscores the company’s commitment to our state and will generate thousands of good-paying jobs in this area,” said Senator Judith Zaffirini. “It reflects Texas’ leadership in aviation, economic development, and workforce training.”
State Representative Lulu Flores added, “My constituents will benefit greatly from the job opportunities these projects will bring, and I welcome this opportunity to continue partnering with this exceptional Texas company.”
Opportunity Austin CEO Ed Latson called the expansion a “significant victory” for the region and highlighted how programs like TEF help Texas communities compete for large-scale corporate investments.
Southwest’s Austin Footprint
Already the largest airline at Austin-Bergstrom, Southwest currently operates more than 130 peak-day departures, serving around 6.7 million passengers annually. New nonstop routes launching in 2026 include Fort Myers (FL), Palm Springs (CA), Steamboat Springs (CO), and Cincinnati (OH), bringing AUS’s nonstop destinations with Southwest to 53.
Southwest, a Fortune 500 company founded and headquartered in Texas since 1967, flies more passengers on nonstop U.S. routes than any other airline. In 2024 alone, the carrier served over 140 million customers. With more than 72,000 employees systemwide, Southwest’s presence continues to drive growth and opportunity in cities across Texas—and now, more than ever, in Austin.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.